Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 1, Arizona United SC 0

Sacramento Republic FC follow up their season opening road win with a decisive 1-0 victory over Arizona United SC in front of a record-breaking crowd at Bonney Field.

Republic FC dominated possession throughout the match and they enjoyed a vast majority of the scoring chances in the match, outshooting Arizona 13-2. The first of many scoring chances came in the 14th minute when Republic FC midfielder Danny Barrera received a pass out on the right wing from forward Thomas Stewart. Barrera turned and sent a left-footed shot to the far post that hit off of the crossbar and went out of play.

The home side’s next chance came in the 20th minute when defender Derek Foran sent a long through ball in the air that found a streaking Emrah Klimenta. The defender controlled the ball with his chest and continued his attack up the right wing. Klimenta took a couple of touches towards goal and sent a low, driven far-post shot that missed just wide.

Republic FC forward Mark Sherrod thought he had broken through in the 42nd minute. Sherrod finished of a corner kick with a great header that beat Carl Wosczcynski, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the box keeping the match scoreless into the break.

Klimenta had another spectacular chance in the 79th minute when defender James Kiffe sent a left-footed out-swinging cross into the box. Klimenta rose over an Arizona defender and sent a header directly into the ground, but could only watch as it bounced over the cross bar and out of play.

Second half substitute Cameron Iwasa would finally break through in the 84th minute. Kiffe attacked the left wing and slid a through ball to the forward just as an Arizona defender came sliding in. Iwasa’s first touch took him away from a sliding defender as he sent a right-footed shot into the back of the net. The goal was Iwasa’s first of the season and it proved to be the late match winner for Republic FC in their 2016 USL Home Opener.

“I was buzzing to get on the field”, said Iwasa following the match. “As a sub you just want to come on and make something happen and fortunately I was able to do so. Ultimately it was just a huge win. Three points is crucial.”

Republic FC hit the road again for their next match traveling to Vancouver to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Kickoff is 3 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 10 at Thunderbird Stadium.